observation technique
Checklists
Checklists are lists of specific traits or behaviors arranged in logical order
Check lists are especially useful for types of behavior or traits than can be easily and clearly specified
Information from anecdotal and running records can be transferred to checklists to make interpretation easier
Advantages
1. They are easy and quick to use;
2. Little training required;
3. They can be used in the presence of the child or recorded later;
4. Helps to focus observations on many behaviors at once;
5. Can be used for curriculum planning; activities can be planned to encourage certain behaviors that have not yet been observed;
6. Can be used to condense information from running record or anecdotal records.
Disadvantages
1. Not very detailed;
2. Little information about the context or sequence of events;
3. May miss important information not included on the checklist.
4. Notes if a behavior occurred but not how often it occurs or the duration of the behavior. Something that happens once may not be very meaningful. Target child observation
This form of observation is used in group settings to find out whether children are getting worthwhile experiences in the group. The child may be selected for a particular reason or at random. The child is observed for a concentrated period of time noting: The language they use
How they interact with others
What they are doing
What materials they are using Particular attention should be paid to whether the child is being challenged by activities that make them think, work things out and whether they concentrate on activities. To gain an accurate picture of a child’s development at a given time it is advisable to complete observations over a few days or a week. The observer must bear in mind that one isolated observation, even though it may reveal a surprising amount of information about a particular child, should never form the basis for reaching
conclusions
Checklists are lists of specific traits or behaviors arranged in logical order
Check lists are especially useful for types of behavior or traits than can be easily and clearly specified
Information from anecdotal and running records can be transferred to checklists to make interpretation easier
Advantages
1. They are easy and quick to use;
2. Little training required;
3. They can be used in the presence of the child or recorded later;
4. Helps to focus observations on many behaviors at once;
5. Can be used for curriculum planning; activities can be planned to encourage certain behaviors that have not yet been observed;
6. Can be used to condense information from running record or anecdotal records.
Disadvantages
1. Not very detailed;
2. Little information about the context or sequence of events;
3. May miss important information not included on the checklist.
4. Notes if a behavior occurred but not how often it occurs or the duration of the behavior. Something that happens once may not be very meaningful. Target child observation
This form of observation is used in group settings to find out whether children are getting worthwhile experiences in the group. The child may be selected for a particular reason or at random. The child is observed for a concentrated period of time noting: The language they use
How they interact with others
What they are doing
What materials they are using Particular attention should be paid to whether the child is being challenged by activities that make them think, work things out and whether they concentrate on activities. To gain an accurate picture of a child’s development at a given time it is advisable to complete observations over a few days or a week. The observer must bear in mind that one isolated observation, even though it may reveal a surprising amount of information about a particular child, should never form the basis for reaching
conclusions